Epic district comeback propels Canton past Plymouth in 5 sets
Canton’s Kendall Amick launches a kill during Monday’s five-set thriller won by the Cobras.
Trying to salvage its season Monday night in the opening round of the MHSAA District volleyball tournament, host Canton didn’t do itself any favors by falling into a 2-0 hole against Park rival Plymouth.
After finishing KLAA divisional play at 0-7 (and 13-26-2 overall), the Cobras weren’t an ideal candidate to construct an epic comeback — but once everything started clicking in the third set, Head Coach Bev Lardin’s team started believing in itself with every hard-earned point.
When the dust had settled, Canton prevailed, 3-2, to advance to Wednesday’s 5 p.m. District semifinal match against Northville. The opening serve is set for 5 p.m. in the Phase 3 gymnasium.
“It was just our time,” said Lardin, who watched her Cobras string together three of its best sets of the season.
‘Something to prove’
“The girls played like they had something to prove. We’ve been steadily improving and everybody stepped up, especially our setter (Lily Swan) and (outside hitter) Kendall Amick. Our defense (led by libero Alyssa Lardin) was amazing and everyone was focused on their job.”
Fueled by its spring-loaded front-line players Dakota Parnell, Riley Taylor and Jordyn Holly; and the spectacular efforts of freshman libero Collins Lantz, Plymouth opened the match with a vengeance, winning the first two sets rather handily, 25-18 and 25-13.
Canton, whose rotation includes just two seniors (Taylor Besco and Swan), started to gain some traction
(and confidence) during a 10-0 service run by Swan, captured the third set, 25-20, on a kill by sophomore Charlotte Thomas.
No quit in Cobras
The Wildcats appeared as if they had regained the momentum in the fourth set when they exploded to a 6-2 lead.
However, the Cobras rallied to deadlock the set at 20-20 before a flurry of kills by Amick and Alexis Steward powered a 25-23 win.
The recharged Cobras led most of the fifth set, building a 7-4 lead on an ace by Steward.
The Wildcats pulled to within 9-8, before the Cobras pulled away thanks to a service ace by Lardin and back-to-back match-ending kills by Amick and Steward.
(Check out a video of match point by clicking here.)
Wednesday’s 7 p.m. semifinal will feature Livonia Churchill, which swept Westland John Glenn in three sets, and Salem, which earned a first-round bye.
The District final is set for Friday at 6 p.m. at Canton.
